About
The character 名 combines 夕 (evening/dusk) above 口 (mouth). It depicts the moment at dusk when fading light made it impossible to recognize others by sight. In such darkness, people had to use their mouths to speak their own names so they could be identified. Hence, 名 primarily means a personal name or title used for identification. From this idea of a spoken identifier, the meaning expanded to include reputation, fame, and the act of naming or designating any object or concept.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我的名字是李明。
请问你叫什么名字？
这座城市很有名。
我想报名参加比赛。
请查看参加者名单。
他以个人名义捐款。
我正在读一本名著。
尽管他不出名，但他的作品很有名。
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